counterstrike
noun
coun·ter·strike
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌstrīk 
variants
or counter-strike
plural counterstrikes or counter-strikes
: a strike that retaliates against or counters earlier strike : a return strike
government counterstrikes against the rebel stronghold
… the belief on both sides that any attack would be met with an equally devastating counterstrike.—
W. J. Hennigan and Brian Bennett
W. J. Hennigan and Brian BennettSynonyms
Examples of counterstrike in a Sentence
after countless strikes and counterstrikes, the positions of both armies remained essentially unchanged
Recent Examples on the Web
After the counterstrikes began, Anera helped W.C.K. obtain permission to enter Gaza, and the two groups began opening community kitchens together.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
The region is currently bracing for Israel’s response to a ballistic missile barrage from Iran in late September and, in turn, a possible counterstrike from Iran.
—Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2024
Iran’s leaders likely saw themselves as having only bad choices: stand by and lose both what was left of its diminishing deterrence as an adversary and credibility as an ally, or enter the fray once more despite the risk of an even greater counterstrike from Israel.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
Such talk has alarmed U.S. officials, who have reportedly urged Israel to avoid nuclear installations and assets in any counterstrike.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterstrike 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
The region is currently bracing for Israel’s response to a ballistic missile barrage from Iran in late September and, in turn, a possible counterstrike from Iran.
—Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2024
Iran’s leaders likely saw themselves as having only bad choices: stand by and lose both what was left of its diminishing deterrence as an adversary and credibility as an ally, or enter the fray once more despite the risk of an even greater counterstrike from Israel.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
Such talk has alarmed U.S. officials, who have reportedly urged Israel to avoid nuclear installations and assets in any counterstrike.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterstrike
Dictionary Entries Near counterstrike
Cite this Entry
“Counterstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterstrike. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share